Suitable ball head for a C220

[bernard_L]

I'd like to gather opinions based on your personal experience concerning the choice of a ball head suitable for a Mamiya C220. I currently have a Sirui CF tripod/ballhead of the lightest model (700g all included) clearly not suitable for the C220, and a Gitzo Totalux (~40yr old) with a more recent ball head, no-name, reassuring size, but poor performance. The C220 is fine shooting level, but if I want to shoot upwards or downwards, the weight of the camera causes the ball to sag.
My options:

Model	Mass (g)	Max load (kg)
Manfrotto 492	140	2
Manfrotto 494	220	4
Manfrotto 496	340	6
Sirui C-10X	200	4
Sirui E-10	280	8
Sirui E-20	350	12
Sirui G-10X	300	18

Another open option is a Gitzo WeekEnd tripod with included panoramic head. The clamping of the inclination motion is quite strong enough. I would not use a panoramic head with a rectangular format (portrait orientation is inconvenient), but for square that is all right.

Further arguments I can see.

• Not interested by the quick-release versions of the Manfrotto heads. I already have a commitment to the Arca-swiss standard (with my sirui tripod), plus the extra Manfrotto QR plates are not cheap.
  
• The lowest rated in each of the two brands listed in the table is probably a bad idea.
  
• I have a prejudice for the Sirui models, that come with a QR base+plate in a standard I already have.
  
• I cannot fully trust the manufacturer's load rating: is that for the mass directly above the ball, or also side load, up to what lateral offset???

The kind of information I hope to obtain:

1. Practical load rating for a C220, including shooting inclined; some healthy margin, but no overkill. I like to hike/travel light. And no, I won't ever upgrade to a RB67.
   
2. Other noteworthy facts I overlooked.

Than you!

 

[MattKing]

I use a Manfrotto 054 head for both a C330 and an RB67 and it works great. I just need to adjust the tension.
It appears to be discontinued. The closest I see on B&H's site is the MHXPRO-BHQ6 XPRO Ball Head.

 

[bernard_L]

@ MattKing. Thank you. The Manfrotto 054 seems to be gaining enthusiastic reviews by owners. But, at 21.47 ounces (more than 600g) it's unfortunately more than I'm ready to carry for a ballhead. And as I stated, I don't need to support a beast like the RB67.

 

[David Brown]

Other noteworthy facts I overlooked.

I cannot fully trust the manufacturer's load rating: is that for the mass directly above the ball, or also side load, up to what lateral offset???

The C220 is not a heavy camera. I have one, and I agree that it is ideal for, say, hiking. However, I think the issue with this form factor is not the dead weight, but the fact that the camera is tall, and once it's tilted past a certain point, there is a lot more strain on a ball head than just supporting the weight. It's a matter of leverage, as you alluded to. I would look at something pretty heavy duty if you really shoot at serious angles up or down.

 

[SJRichardson]

I use a PhotoClam PC-40N with my C220 and it works great!